A: Dissociation is a common problem in some kinds of meditation; indeed, it is an objective. To achieve transcendence, the personal identification is de-emphasized to the point of denial. A common expression is, "This is not my body." The parts of one's body are then referred to without identification attached to them, such as "Place the legs in a cross-legged position with the hands on the thighs." This detachment toward one's body promotes an uncentered and unbounded view of self that can be destabilizing to anyone.

The process of transcendence begins with an objective observation of one's self. One's consciousness observes one's body, creating a separation of one's self into two parts. The separation is then intensified by having one's consciousness observe one's mental processes. This establishes that the essence of self is separate from one's body and from one's mind as well. This encourages one to identify with sheer consciousness and abandon one's personality as a limitation, a fabrication of the mind, and the source of pain and frustration in life.

This is done for a very good reason: it's all true. Matter can act both as particles and as waves and so a person is both localized and also spread throughout space. Another way of saying it is that each of us is both an individual and a microcosm of humanity. The classic process that meditation teachers have developed for teaching this truth has two stages. The first half of the process starts with dis-identification with all that changes - the body, mind and personality - in order to force one's identity to reach "up" and grasp what does not change - the soul and spirit. A second half of the process is to consciously rebuild a personality from the experience of being pure spirit.

For many people, it may be best to short-cut the process of dismantling and then rebuilding the human psyche. Instead of the "upward" and "downward" process, it may be safer as well as faster to simply "widen" one's consciousness. This is the approach of the heart. One finds in exploring one's heart that it contains intense personal emotions of attraction, longing, fear, joy, despair, etc. that are at their depth shared with all other hearts. By the conscious experience of one's own emotions, one comes to the experience of all emotion. This serves the same purpose as transcendence in a person's developmental process, but it doesn't negate the personal. It uses one's own emotion as the portal to the whole emotion. I would recommend this general approach for your client.

Heart-based meditation, such as Heart Rhythm Meditation, has several guidelines that are important for avoiding dissociation: (1) Keep your attention on bodily sensation, specifically your heartbeat and breathing. (2) Avoid fantasy; concentrate on the present moment in reality. (3) Do not negate or denigrate any part of yourself, such as your mind or your ego. Claim all aspects of yourself as your own treasure. (4) Do not witness from outside your body, but experience fully from inside a very large body that fills a room.

Since your client is experienced in a different meditation regimen, she will have to unlearn and relearn. Though pleasurable, the feelings of being bodiless and transcendent are signs of withdrawal from life. As she is likely an angelic person, she needs to become comfortable with the sensations of her body, especially when she's feeling emotional. Emphasize to her that sensations are neither good nor bad; they're human. Heart Rhythm Meditation will eventually give her a solid experience of an impersonal, compassionate power that is available to her personally and intimately. The results to look for are an enhanced ability to accomplish her desires and build trusting and committed relationships. Meditation should help her live her life, not take her out of it.